Another year has passed and 2011 is now upon us. The New Year gives us an opportunity to reflect on the year that has gone by and on what we hope to accomplish in the months ahead. It is a time to consider new solutions to the problems of the... Continue Reading
While many people were preparing for the holidays last week, the Obama administration was busy making plans to announce major policy changes through federal regulations. Just two days before Christmas, the Obama administration’s Department of Interior (DOI) issued a secretarial order to reverse the wilderness policy set in place by... Continue Reading
Since its inception in December of 1985, the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) has transitioned from a grain stock management program that helped rural farmers and ranchers prevent soil erosion to a tool that helps preserve wetlands, ensure water quality protection, and increase wildlife habitat. Today, the CRP is not only... Continue Reading
Christmas is a special time of year when families and friends gather to celebrate many blessings. It is a time of coming together to share gifts and enjoy the company of others-a time for reflecting on the year that has passed. As we share in the love and friendship of... Continue Reading
Over 3000 people in our state serve in the South Dakota National Guard. In addition to serving their state and the nation, most of these men and women have full time jobs in our communities. Balancing both service to country and a career can often be a challenge. The U.S.... Continue Reading
The U.S. Senate recently had a second opportunity to vote on a popular, bipartisan amendment that would have fully repealed the costly and burdensome 1099 tax reporting provision buried in the recently enacted health care law. This tax reporting mandate will force all businesses, charities, churches, and state and local... Continue Reading
With weeks of conditioning spoiled briefly by turkey and pie, high school hoopsters across South Dakota will get ready to kick off the first games of the season this December. Rest assured-they will have plenty of time to run lines before that first game. I get nostalgic this time of... Continue Reading
In the past few years, many families in South Dakota and throughout the country have dealt with smaller budgets and thinner wallets due to the downturn in our nation’s economy. Tangible hardships are perhaps more prevalent for our friends, families, and neighbors this year as our economy continues to lag.... Continue Reading
The end of the current session of Congress is drawing near and these final weeks, commonly referred to as the “lame duck,” are now upon us. The Democrats are still in the majority in both the House and the Senate and have an ambitious agenda, but they have yet to... Continue Reading
The campaign advertisements are over and the yard signs have been taken down. Election Day has come and gone and a new group of legislators will soon come to Washington. The American people sent a strong message this past Election Day and we must be ready to address the serious... Continue Reading
November is upon us and with it comes our nation’s unified appreciation for the men and women who have served in the Armed Forces. Veterans Day is a time for all of us to recognize our veterans’ role in making America the greatest country on earth. Our nation has done... Continue Reading
Washington has recently brought rise to a culture of open-ended federal government bailouts and runaway federal spending. While media attention has focused heavily on the taxpayer funded bailouts of AIG and General Motors, for the past two years American taxpayers have been on the hook for a massive bailout of... Continue Reading
